With a library of thousands of anime titles in various genres, Crunchyroll is the go-to streaming service for all fans and enthusiasts of this type of TV shows and movies. You can choose from action-packed shonen, heartwarming stories, as well as deep psychological thrillers, whether they are timeless classics, new shows, or original content created by Crunchyroll.
When you download Crunchyroll, you can access simulcasts, which give you access to the newest episode of the current series just hours after it was broadcast in Japan. You can watch content with subtitles in multiple languages and get personalized recommendations adjusted to your viewing history.
Crunchyroll has a free version that lets you access a selection of titles with ads, but if you subscribe to their paid tiers, you unlock ad-free streaming, the full Crunchyroll library, early access to different shows, and the option to download content and view it when you're offline. You can download Crunchyroll on iOS and Android devices, smart TVs, and gaming consoles or access its web-based service.
Why should I download Crunchyroll?
There's no better place to look for anime shows and related content than Crunchyroll. This streaming platform gives you legal access to a wide range of titles, spanning over 1200 different shows and movies. Crunchyroll includes both niche releases and timeless classics, or the newest series, and it also allows you to watch anime episodes shortly after they run in Japan, thanks to its simulcast option.
On Crunchyroll, you'll find tens of thousands of episodes of different anime series, including classics like Naruto, One Piece, and Dragon Ball, as well as newer options such as Jujutsu Kaisen, Demon Slayer, and Spy x Family. You can also select from various live-action Japanese dramas and a catalog of manga books that you can view through the app or inside your browser.
Since most content you can find on Crunchyroll is natively in Japanese, the service also hosts shows with English dubbing, which is an excellent option for foreign viewers or those who don't like subtitles. However, Crunchyroll also offers subtitles in multiple international languages to help make its content as widely available as possible.
When using Crunchyroll, you'll find standard streaming features such as personal watchlists, the option to resume watching, and recommendations based on your viewing history. You can enable push notifications for new episodes and manage your watching queue and a list of favorite content. Those who subscribe to a Crunchyroll premium subscription can download their content for offline access, stream titles in HD and 4K, watch without ads, and even access a selection of games for free.
When you download Crunchyroll and start using it, community reviews and ratings can help you decide what to watch, and you can also choose to follow Crunchyroll News, where you'll get industry editorial content, trailers, as well as announcements regarding new seasons or other anime-related news.
Crunchyroll's manga collection has both classic titles and those published by the service directly, and you can read them through the Crunchyroll Manga app or inside your browser. You can also access the merchandise store to buy anime-related apparel, figures, or other items.
Crunchyroll has agreements with all major anime studios, which allows it to offer fresh and relevant content. You can download the Crunchyroll mobile app to watch on iOS and Android devices, use the service through a browser, or install the app on smart TVs and gaming consoles.
Is Crunchyroll free?
Yes, you can access part of the service for free, but you need to be aware that, in return, Crunchyroll will display ads that can interrupt your watching. The library will also be limited, and only selected older episodes will be available for newer anime series. On the free options, you usually need to wait a week after the episode has been officially released to be able to see it.
Crunchyroll also has two paid subscription tiers, including offline downloads, streaming on multiple devices, free swag and discounts to its merchandise store, and access to Crunchyroll Game Vault, where you can play various mobile games without additional costs. You can test the premium features on a 7-day trial and then choose annual or monthly payments for your subscription.
What operating systems are compatible with Crunchyroll?
You can download Crunchyroll on various platforms, including iPhones and iPads (running iOS 16 or higher) and smartphones and tablets on Android 5.1 and up. Crunchyroll also works as a web service on Windows, macOS, and Linux computers with any of the major browsers.
Crunchyroll is available on a selection of smart TVs and streaming devices like Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, and Chromecast. On top of that, you can download dedicated Crunchyroll apps for PlayStation 4 and 5 and Xbox One and Series X/S.
To access the collection of manga titles that Crunchyroll offers, you can download the Crunchyroll Manga app on iOS and Android mobile devices.
What are the alternatives to Crunchyroll?
Hidive also offers access to a collection of anime content, but this time, it also includes uncensored titles as well as more simulcast options. You can view shows and movies with subtitles or dubbing (where supported), and on Hidive, you'll find works that would be hard to get on other, bigger services or coming from studios like Sentai Filmworks. To use Hidive, you need to subscribe to a paid plan, and you can either download an app on mobile devices and smart TVs or launch it in any major web browser.
Rakuten Viki has a broader focus than just anime, as it also includes Korean, Chinese, Taiwanese, and Japanese dramas. Thanks to community contributions, most of the titles you'll find there will have subtitles in selected languages, and it offers both free and paid versions. When subscribed, you'll have no ads, early access to new episodes, and the option to watch in HD. Rakuten Viki works with web browsers, as well as a variety of mobile devices and smart TVs.
Netflix is the most popular streaming platform in the world. It also includes anime titles and has a vast catalog of movies and TV shows in all genres. It gives you access to both classics and original productions. You need to have a paid subscription to use Netflix, though, as there's no free version. You can download and use the service on nearly any platform available, including mobile devices, gaming consoles, computers, smart TVs, streaming devices, and projectors.
